From Pralongià to Cherz

“It is a route which allows you to take in many mountain huts and splendid vantage points offering different Dolomite views. From the high plateau you can enjoy views which extend from Pelmo to Civetta, from Marmolada to Boè and from Tofana of Rozes to La Varella. Notwithstanding that it is only a small plateau it gives a sense of immense space and grandeur.”

Set off from Hotel La Perla in Corvara and cycle for 1.5 km up the first bends of Passo Campolongo. At the top of the ascent turn left, just where on the right there is a small house. Continue to Hotel Arlara from where you take the forest road to the right and which brings you to the mountain hut Col Alto (4 km uphill). Directions to the mountain hut are signposted. The final 400 metres are demanding! The view from the terrace is amazing. You can see Corvara, Colfosco, Cir, Passo Gardena, Sassongher, and the high plateau of Gardenaccia. Next you turn back down the final 400 metre ascent you did and follow signs for Piz La Ia Ila, crossing over fields and through woods and then passing by the valley station of Roby, and it is from this point that a forest road takes you to Piz La Ila. It will become clear when after 500 metres on your left you will see a wooden house on the left and the sign ‘Piz Lain zona Lëgns da Fur’. Going on you come to the high point of Piz La Ila at 2050 m, and from the mountain hut here you can take in another fantastic view. Moving on again you go south east in the direction of Piz Sorega, passing close to the La Fraina hut and follow a track across the field until going downhill to the valley station of La Brancia chairlift. Next is a 1 km climb to Piz Sorega, and then south passing close to the Las Vegas hut and then arriving at the Bioch hut, from which you then turn left so as to reach the Pralongià hut. After Pralongià you go down in the direction of Corvara, and after a fast descending run of 1,5 km you come to ‘La Marmotta’ and you are now in Incisa Pass, which many years ago was the connecting pass between Val Badia and Livinalongo. From the hut you follow the ‘hunting trail’ for 3 km until you come to an open area: to the left is a small wooden house. Moving on from the house itself, but not without forgetting to take in the magnificent view of Civetta, you follow the track which for the first 150 metes is a bit uneven but then becomes fine and which takes you down to Cherz. The panorama over the whole plateau is simply breathtaking. Stop and enjoy it and then from the Cherz hut itself you cycle south for 1.5 km until you come to the end of the plateau. From here the view of Passo Pordoi, the Marmolada and Portavescovo is truly spectacular. The 360 degree view is framed by the heights of Civetta, Pelmo and Tofana. From the Cherz high plateau you turn back on yourself and go downhill for 1.5 km to Passo Campolongo. Then you go back up along a path for about 400 m until you arrive in the wood which runs alongside the golf course, and which you can follow until you come out again on the Passo Campolongo road. From here you should turn right and after 2km you reach the Hotel La Perla in Corvara. Note that there is also the possibility to take the Col Alto egg-cabin lift and in so doing you would save 500 m of altitude difference. The route may be cycled the whole way and gives you a real taste of Dolomite views and you do not need to have advance technical skills to do so.